Folding blade gaff



M. GLASS FOLDING BLADE GAFF Sept. 1936.

Filed Dec. 12, 1935 known as gafis and pertains Patented Sept. 1, 1936 PATENT OFFICE FOLDING BLADE GAFF Matthew Glass,

Philadelphia, Pa.

Application December 12, 1935, Serial No. 54,133

Claims.

This invention relates to devices of the class particularly to a gafi? adapted for use in fishing.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved type of gait in which novel means is employed for joining the same with a handle whereby the gaff may be firmly secured in working position relative to the handle, or may be readily released for movement relative to the handle into an enclosing or guard area.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved gaii in which a novel means is employed for locking the blade in working position at right angles to a carrying handle whereby the use of the gait with one hand is made easy so that the gait may be conveniently employed when fishing from a boat as well as from the shore or from a stationary structure such as a wharf or pier.

The invention broadly contemplates the provision of a handlehaving a slot formed longitudinally therein from one end and having a pair of semi-cylindrical sleeves co-operating to encircle the slotted end thereof and held in position by a bolt and wing nut. The gafl blade is provided with an apertured end which is disposed in the slot of the handle and has the bolt passing therethrough and with the reduced portions at 'each side of the aperture. each of which passes through a recess in one of the semi-cylindrical,

sleeves which is drawn into tight engagement with the handle and operates to firmly lock the gait blade in position at right angles to the handle.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration oi the following detailed descrip-- tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and part] in section of the gafi embodying the present invention, the blade being transversely sectioned.

the numeral l indicates generally the handle for the gall embodying the present invention, the portion 2 being the hand grip end of the handle, while the portion 3 may be broadly referred to as the head. Formed in the head portion or end 5 3 of the handle is a slot 4 which extends from the end inwardly a substantial distance and passes through from one side to the other of the handle body. Adjacent the upper end of the head end of the handle is a transverse passage, 10 as indicated at 5, which extends at right-angles to the slot 4 and which is designed to receive a bolt 6 of the type which is squared adjacent the head end 1 and is threaded at its other end to receive a wing nut 8.-

Encircling the end portion 3 of the handle is a split sleeve, which is indicated generally by the numeral 9 and which comprises two semi-cylindrical portions l0 and II and each of these sleeve portions has an aperture for the passage. of the bolt 6 therethrough, and in addition each is provided at each-end with the heavy reinforcing flange or lip l2 which, in addition to serving as a means for giving rigidity to the portion, provides a convenient means for taking a hold upon the same with the fingers when it is necessary to draw the sleeve portion outwardly for the purpose hereinafter described. Normally the two portions l0 and H of the split sleeve are held with their opposing edges in abutting relation by the wing nut 8 which is threaded onto the bolt 6 in the manner illustrated.

The sleeve portion II is of slightly greater circumferential extent. than the portion I0 so that the contacting edges of the two sleeves will lie in the plane of one side of the recess 4 instead of in the center oi the same, as would be the case if the sleeve were divided upon its axial center, andeachlongitudinal edge of the portion II is provided with a notch or cut-out l3 which is of a depth equal to the width of the recess 4 over which it lies.

The numeral l4 indicates the gaff blade and this is slightly arcuate adjacent its pointed end and has the barb IS in the usual manner. At its other or inner end'the blade is flat and of a thickness substantially equal to the width of the recess 4 in which it positions, and this flat inner end portion is formed to have a bolt opening l6 through which the bolt 6 passes and upon each side of the opening is a reduced neck ll, at the outer end of each of which are formed two shoulders I 8. Normally when the gaff is not in use, the blade will be swung on the bolt 6 into the recess 4, but when it is desired to use the tightening the wing nut up on the bolt 6 so as to' draw the sleeve portions together, it will be seen that the gaff blade will be firmly locked in the desired working position and may be freely used without fear of its working loose or shifting its position. In order to replace the blade in the protecting recess 4 in the head end of the handle, the foregoing process is reversed and the flanged reinforcing edges l2 of the sleeve portion ll may be conveniently'grasped by the fingers so that if the sleeve portion should stick no difliculty will be had in getting a hold upon it so that it maybe drawnoutwardly on the bolt to efiect the release of the blade.

From the foregoing it will. be readily apparent that a gaff constructed in accordance with the present invention will be sturdy and reliable and the blade when not in use will be well pr o tected so that its point or the point of the barb will not be injured if the gaff is thrown about.

What is claimed, is:

l. A gafi of the character described, comprising a handle having a slot cut therein from one end, a pointed gaff blade having the end opposite the point flattened and disposed in said slot, said flattened end having an openingtherethrough, a pivot bolt extending through the slotted end of the handle and through said blade opening and having a nut on one end thereof, and means encircling the slotted .end of the handle having two portions separable on a line extending longitudinally thereof and having said bolt passing therethrough to hold said portions against sepa-- ration, said portions operating to secure the gaff blade in position perpendicular to the .handle upon the drawing up of the nut on the bolt.

2. A gaif of the character described, comprising a handle having a slot formed therein from one end, a gafi blade flattened at one end and pointed at the other end, said flattened end of the blade being disposed in the slot, a split sleeve encircling the slotted end of the handle and having the edges of the two portions thereof in opposed relation, the longitudinal edges of one of said portions of the sleeve being notched intermediate its ends to receive the gaff blade, and means for securing the portions of said split sleeve together whereby when the gafl blade is engageable in said notch it will be secured in a position perpendicular to said handle.

3. A gafi, comprising a handle having a slot formed therein from one end thereof, a gaff blade having one end flattened and'provided with an aperture, the other end of the blade being pointed, said flattened end of the blade being disposed in the slot, a sleeve surrounding the slotted end of the handle and longitudinally divided to form two portions, the longitudinal edges of which are in opposed relation, one longitudinal edge of one sleeve having a notch therein, said gaff blade having a reduced neck portion adjacent said aperture which is adapted to locate in said notch, and a bolt passing through the handle and the two portions of said sleeve and through the opening of said blade, said bolt having a nut threaded thereon for securing the portions of the sleeve together, said blade being oscillatable upon the bolt upon separation of the sleeve portions for disposition in said slot.

4. A gaff comprising ahandle having a slot formed therein from one end, a gaff blade which is flattened at one end and apertured through the flattened portion, said apertured flattened portion being disposed in said slot, said flattened portion at each side of the aperture being reduced to form a neck terminating at its outer end in a shoulder, a sleeve surrounding the slotted end of the handle and longitudinally divided to form two portions, the edges of which are in abutting relation, the longitudinal edges of one of said portions each being provided with a notch for the reception of a neck portion of the blade, and a bolt passing through the handle, the two portions of the sleeve and the aperture of said blade and having a nut threaded upon one end and bearing against a sleeve portion, the abutting edges of said sleeve portions being in the plane of one side of said slot.

5. A gaff, comprising a handle having a slot formed therein from one end thereof, a gaif blade having one end flattened and provided with an aperture, the other end of the blade being pointed, said flattened end of the blade being disposed in the slot, a sleeve surrounding the slotted end of the handle and longitudinally divided to form two portions, the longitudinal edges of which" are in opposed relation, one longitudinal edge of one sleeve having a notch therein, said gaff blade having a reduced neck portion adjacent said aperture which is adapted to locate in said .l at the end edges thereof forming flnger holds for facilitating the-shifting of the sleeve portions.

m'rrnnw Grass. 

